ATLANTA, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) today in a 5-0 vote approved Georgia Power's new solar initiative -- the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative ("GPASI"). The initiative creates the largest voluntarily developed solar portfolio from an investor-owned utility. Through GPASI, Georgia Power will acquire 210 megawatts of additional solar capacity through long term contracts over a two-year period.

"We are pleased the Commission has approved our Advanced Solar Initiative," said Georgia Power President and CEO Paul Bowers. "Developed in cooperation with the PSC, our solar plan will encourage new, cost competitive opportunities for solar development in our state while helping Georgia Power continue to build a diverse generation portfolio that provides our customers with the safest, most reliable and most cost effective electric system in the nation."

To meet the target of 210 megawatts, Georgia Power's Utility Scale program will purchase 60 megawatts annually for two years through a competitive request for proposal (RFP) program with projects ranging in size from 1-20 megawatts. By as early 2013, a Distributed Scale program will provide opportunities for up to 45 megawatts per year of smaller solar projects with specific reservations for Small Scale (less than 100 kW) and Medium Scale (100-1,000 kW) projects.

RFPs for the Utility Scale program will be conducted in 2013 and 2014 and require commercial operation dates in 2015 and 2016. Georgia Power could begin signing solar contracts under the Distributed Scale program as early first quarter of 2013.

The GPASI complements the company's existing solar resources, which include leading-edge research and demonstration projects and a 50 megawatt Large Scale Solar program already in place.

Since the creation of the company's Green Energy Program in 2003, which enables customers to support and foster the growth of renewable energy resources, Georgia Power has consistently pursued opportunities to grow solar in the state. Through various initiatives, including the Large Scale Solar Program approved in 2011, Georgia Power has worked closely with the PSC to add solar economically to its portfolio. There are currently 61.5 megawatts under contract – enough green energy to power approximately 7600 homes.